Missouri Soldier Accused of Stabbing Another Soldier in the Buttocks as Part of Practical Joke

A Missouri soldier was stabbed in the buttocks as part of a practical joke -- which he apparently didn't find so funny.

Clinton police say that officers were dispatched to the National Guard Armory in Artesian Park yesterday morning, and when they got there, they found a soldier who had been stabbed in the rear.

He was transported to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital where he had to get surgery to repair the wound.

The suspect's explanation? "Practical joking," police say.

A report from the Clinton Police Department doesn't get into a whole lot of detail about the nature of this practical joke.

Police say:

An investigation revealed that the soldier was involved in some practical joking with another soldier's gear and as the victim bent over to pick up the gear, the soldier who owned the gear jabbed him in the buttocks with a knife.

He told police that he did stab his fellow soldier, but he "did not mean to cause any substantial damage."

That argument, however, appears to be doing little to appease the stabbing victim, who is seeking prosecution, officials say.

Montaleone was incarcerated in the Henry County Detention Center, and bond was set at $10,000.

Both soldiers are members of the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion which is assigned to the Clinton Armory.

Police say they were in the process of preparing for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.

Here's the full report from Clinton Police:

On Wednesday morning at around 10:00 A.M., Clinton Police Officers were dispatched to the National Guard Armory in Artesian Park in reference to a stabbing. Upon arrival officers encountered a subject who had been stabbed in the buttocks. The soldier was transported to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital by private car and underwent surgery to repair the wound. An investigation revealed that the soldier was involved in some practical joking with another soldier's gear and as the victim bent over to pick up the gear, the soldier who owned the gear jabbed him in the buttocks with a knife.

Officers arrested 23 year old Matthew Montaleone of Clinton for 24 hours investigation of 2nd degree assault. Montaleone admitted to stabbing the victim but stated that he did not mean to cause any substantial damage. The victim desires prosecution and Montaleone was incarcerated in the Henry County Detention Center in lieu of a $10,000.00 bond. Both soldiers are members of the 1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion which is assigned to the Clinton Armory. The soldiers were there preparing for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.